Something is going to have to change for Red Bull New York to avoid the fate of missing the MLS Cup playoffs for a second consecutive season.
Last time out against Los Angeles FC at BMO Stadium, the Red Bulls owned 57 percent of possession, made 192 more passes than LAFC and completed passes at a three percent higher accuracy rate compared to the hosts.
While those numbers look nice on paper, it only amounted to one shot on target. The Red Bulls lost 2-0, though the second goal came after New York was forced to play with nine men.
“Generally speaking, this season, we’ve done a pretty good job of balancing the part of possession and control and passes with creating chances,” Red Bull New York head coach Michael Bradley said ahead of Saturday’s match against the Columbus Crew.
“If you look in the league, we’re still a team that, in terms of chance creation, we can always be better. Trust me. We’re trying to take that and make even more. But for the most part, that’s been pretty solid. There’s been a few games where the pure ability to take some of that possession and some of those passes and turn that into bigger chances — there have been some games where that has not been quite enough.”
Red Bulls Have Chance To Earn First Win Since August 1
On Saturday at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, the 12th-place Red Bulls will have the chance to end a miserable run of six defeats in nine games. New York hasn’t won since their 3-2 home victory over Orlando City SC on August 1.
The 13th-place Crew enter the weekend having lost five of their last six league matches. With both teams currently below the playoff line, expect 90 minutes full of desperation.
Brais Méndez and Santiago Rodríguez Could Be Difference-Makers for Columbus
Bradley understands the danger posed by Columbus’ newest recruits, Spanish attacking midfielder Brais Méndez and former NYCFC favorite Santiago Rodriguez. Additionally, former MLS MVP Josef Martínez still has plenty of goals in his boots.
“It’s a team with interesting football ideas,” Bradley said. “It’s a team that now has made two really, really good signings in Brais Méndez and Santiago Rodriguez. We expect a difficult game. It’s a great stadium here. We’re excited now to end the week in a really positive way, to step on the field and to, again, enjoy the part of showing who we are, showing the improvement, showing the progress that we’re making, and trying to make it all count for more.”
The 39-year-old head coach has remained unflinching in his belief that eventually the Red Bulls will gel together and begin producing improved results.
“[We’re] trying to be a team that, even in a stretch where not everything has gone perfect or not everything has gone our way, with a light and positive energy, step on the field and not be phased, not be weighed down by what the last stretch has been for us, and to just keep going. Keep going, keep playing, keep moving forward with our ideas and with the belief and the conviction that we are a really good team and we’re going to show that to everybody.”
Maybe he’s right and it’s all going to soon click into place but to a lot of supporters, it feels agonizing watching the growing pains of a young team that doesn’t have the requisite MLS experience aside from a handful of veterans who are coming toward the end of their powers.
Red Bull New York and Columbus Crew Lineup and Injury News Ahead of Saturday’s Match
Ahead of Saturday’s contest, defender Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
Fellow defender Justin Che (ankle) and midfielder Adri Mehmeti (illness) are considered questionable.
UPDATE: 6:35 PM:
Red Bull New York announced the following starting XI and substitutes:
Starting XI: Horvath, Nealis (C), Bazan, Parker, Dos Santos, Mehmeti, Donkor, Sofo, Harper, Hall, Ruvalcaba
Subs: McCarthy, Choupo-Moting, Cowell, Forsberg, Kone, Nelich, Padelford, Ruiz, Voloder
Dylan Nealis takes the captain’s armband.
OUT: Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty (hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE: Justin Che (ankle), Adri Mehmeti (illness)
Red Bull New York added Red Bull New York II duo Dennis Nelich and Sekou Kone on short-term agreements ahead of tonight’s match.
Columbus will be without the trio of Wessam Abou Ali (knee), Sekou Bangoura (ankle) and Rudy Camacho (foot). Right-back Andres Herrera, who has been troubled by a back injury, will be a game-time decision.
OUT: Wessam Abou Ali (knee), Sekou Bangoura (ankle), Rudy Camacho (foot)
QUESTIONABLE: Andres Herrera (back)
Saturday’s match is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Apple TV will provide coverage in English and Spanish. Matt Harmon and Steve Jolley will call all the action on Red Bulls Radio in English via the Red Bull New York app and RedBullNewYork.com.
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